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BBC faces backlash over The Real Housewives of ISIS

The comedic skit is being described as “terrible” by some, while others say it’s “hilarious”.
The Real Housewives of ISIS

Earlier this week, users took to social media to weigh in on a skit called The Real Housewives of ISIS, which is part of a new BBC show called Revolting.

With its premise leaning on the Real Housewives of…. reality TV franchise, the comedic sketch follows the lives of four Western women who have left their homes for Syria to become the ‘jihadi brides’ of Islamic State fighters.

Sharing the new segment’s on their Facebook page, BBC Two have been hit with a whole range of mixed opinions…

In one scene, one of the ‘jihadid brides’ says, “Ali bought me a new chain, which is 8-foot long, so I can almost get outside, which is great!”

In another scene, a cast member says, “It’s only three days until the beheading and I have no idea what to wear…”

As reported by SBS, it was these skits that spurred a social media storm…

One person wrote: “Terrible!! Am I the only one who thinks this is very bad and tastless!!!”

Another agreed, writing: “I’m mortified that the BBC had produced such a programme. This is simply bad taste.”

“The fact it is a comedy makes it even more worrying that humour should be associated with the actions of ISIS. Is this really what TV licenses are funding?!”

However, others, including those of the Muslim faith, were quick to jump to the show’s defense.

“As a Muslim I find this HILARIOUS!” a user wrote. “The satire is on point highlighting the pathetic ideals of a pathetic group like ISIS.”

“[This] has nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with the stupid folk who are indoctrinated into radicalism over the false ideology that ISIS circulate.”

“I am a Muslim,” another began, “and I am not gonna lie I was laughing so much not because they are mocking Islam (which frankly they are not, as it has nothing to do with Islam) but because they are mocking terrorism.”

“Ignorance is the root cause of all terrorism.”

In response to comments slamming the new segment, BBC Two have stated: “The Real Housewives of ISIS is a mock-reality show sketch part of our new programme ‘Revolting’.

What do you think of the trailer below? Tell us by commenting on our Facebook page.

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